Method and system for demolding a flexible mold of dried wet-cast concrete products

Abstract

The problem of wet-cast concrete products getting stuck or being uncontrollably ejected from a flexible mold during demolding is solved by moving the flexible mold through a passage, defined by both a mold-receiving surface and a rotatable mold-support distanced therefrom, while moving an edge of the flexible mold along an unsmooth path that includes at least one sharp point.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for demolding at least one flexible mold that is at least partially filled with dried wet-cast concrete products and that has a front edge; the method comprising:
 providing a table and a mold-support member so distanced from the table as to define a passage for the at least one flexible mold therethrough; the mold-support member being rotatable about an axis parallel to the passage to minimize friction in the passage; 
 receiving the at least one flexible mold on the table so that the front edge extends out of the passage; and 
 moving the at least one flexible mold through the passage while moving the front edge along an unsmooth path about the mold-support member. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible mold includes a plurality of flexible molds. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising moving the plurality of flexible molds side by side on the table until the front edge of each of the plurality of flexible molds extends out of the passage. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible mold is made of a rubber or polyurethane. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the dried wet-cast concrete products are differently shaped. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the unsmooth path includes a plurality of broken points. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the front edge is part of a peripheral edge of the at least one flexible mold; the method further comprising, prior to said receiving the at least one flexible mold on the table so that a portion of the peripheral edge extends out of the passage, removing a vacuum on the at least one flexible mold by moving at least one portion of the peripheral edge away from another portion of the at least one flexible mold that is adjacent to the at least one portion of the peripheral edge.